At her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly Parton delivered a triumphant rendition of “Jolene”. The performance included an impressive lineup of stars joining the Queen of Country, including Pink, Sheryl Crow, Rob Halford, Pat Benatar, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Brandi Carlile and Simon Le Bon. The event, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 5, 2022, radiated with vibrant energy as Parton celebrated this monumental achievement.
Pink opened the performance by singing the opening line after Parton’s introduction, and the excitement was palpable. Pink’s excitement was evident as her face lit up with admiration for the iconic Dolly Parton. After Pink, Annie Lennox took over the next verse, and the chorus featured a star-studded ensemble that included Rob Halford, Pat Benatar, and Simon Le Bon, all of whom brought their unique flair to the performance.
The live version of “Jolene” has been viewed over a million times on YouTube, underscoring the wide appeal of the performance. One commentary states: “Dolly Parton has music that flows through her soul. No matter who she sings with, her voice always harmonizes perfectly. I admire her uplifting spirit, incredible talent and kind-hearted personality. Truly, praise be to God!”
The 37th annual ceremony also honored other music legends such as Judas Priest, Carly Simon, Jimmy Jam, Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics and Lionel Richie. Dolly Parton performed two songs that night, including “Rockin’ It” with the Zac Brown Band.
Initially, Parton considered turning down the induction, as she felt she did not deserve the award. However, after some reflection, she accepted the honor, declaring during her acceptance speech, “I’m a rock star now!” She shared her initial reluctance, saying: “When I first heard about being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I didn’t feel like I had done enough to deserve it. But to be here tonight is a great honor and I couldn’t be prouder”.